Apparatus and method of egg transfer within an egg handling machine

ABSTRACT

An egg orientation mechanism orients eggs within an egg handling machine including a plurality of randomly arranged eggs on a first egg conveying mechanism. A lifter mechanism located on the first egg conveying mechanism raises each egg away from the egg conveying mechanism to off balance and rotate the egg so that the egg is oriented to with larger end of egg leading as egg is released into a second egg conveying mechanism. A clamshell egg receiver includes a front wall, a rear wall and egg receiving space formed between front wall and the rear wall. Either one of front wall or rear wall pivots about a pivot point located below a centerline of the egg receiving space. A method of releasing an egg includes holding an egg by an egg holder, rotating the egg holder and releasing the egg at an angle greater or less than 90 degrees.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method ofegg transfer within an egg handling machine, and in particular to animproved apparatus and method for transferring eggs within the egghandling machine in which eggs may be loaded, handled, and subsequentlypackaged.

BACKGROUND

Various types of machines are available for handling and packaging eggs,with each step of the process occurring within a particular station.Each station accomplishes a particular task including but not limited towashing, drying, weighing, sorting and packing of the eggs. Often, eachstation may accomplish a plurality of tasks. The varied number ofstations encountered requires transportation of the egg through multiplestations to final packaging, and frequently at high rates of speed. Thestations may be modular, so that the machine can be reconfigured tosatisfy a particular processing need.

Depending on the space configurations of the manufacturing environment,the stations may be arranged in a straight line, or may have an angularrelationship, such as “L” shaped, or “U” shaped or the like. Duringtransportation of the eggs through each of the stations by a conveyingmechanism, the eggs may travel in a random manner, or in an organizedmanner, such as in lanes. The eggs may have a predetermined orientationwith respect to a major axis of the egg, i.e. smaller more pointed endfirst, or larger more rounded end first. An example of a conveyingmechanism is an in-feed roller conveyor. Another example of a conveyingmechanism is an overhead carriage assembly and egg gripper or holder.The holder may grip the egg with a predetermined orientation, such ashorizontally or vertically. Further, in handling eggs, the ability tohandle a high volume of eggs in a brief time is an important capability.

While existing egg handling machines work well, improving specificfeatures associated with transport of the eggs will enhance overall linespeed. For example, the eggs may be initially fed into the machinewithout the same orientation, and at some point in the process theorientation of the egg will need to be sensed and the eggs uniformlyarranged. Further, during transport of the eggs between stations, thetype of conveyor may change, such as from an overhead gripper to aseries of rotating brushes, cup, basket or the like. For example, therotating brushes may facilitate the transfer of the egg into anothertype of conveying mechanism. In a high-speed environment, such changesmay slow down the overall process.

In another example of an existing feature of an egg handling machine,the cups used to transport the eggs have a clamshell shape and pivotabout a pivot axis located above the centerline of the egg. While thepresent cups work, the overall line speed is reduced due to the openingand closing of the cups while receiving and removing the egg.

In yet another example, of an existing feature of an egg handlingmachine, the eggs are either oriented tip up or tip down, and arereleased at a 90 degree angle from an overhead conveyer onto anotherconveying mechanism. While the presently used release angle works, theline speed of the machine may not be optimized due to the trajectory ofthe egg.

Thus, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method forefficiently and rapidly conveying eggs through multiple processingstations and facilitating the rapid transition of the eggs through themultiple processing stations, within an egg handling machine.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an improved eggorientation mechanism for orienting eggs within a machine for handlingeggs. The egg orientation mechanism includes a plurality of eggspositioned randomly on a first egg conveying mechanism. A liftermechanism may be located adjacent the first egg conveying mechanism,wherein the lifter mechanism raises a portion of each egg away from thefirst egg conveying mechanism to off balance the egg. The eggorientation mechanism may also includes a sidewall adjacent the firstegg conveying mechanism, and an end of the off balance egg contacts thesidewall to rotate the egg and to orient the egg with the larger end ofthe egg leading as the egg is released from the first egg conveyingmechanism into a second egg conveying mechanism positioned below thefirst egg conveying mechanism.

The present disclosure also relates to a clamshell egg holder fortransporting eggs in a machine for handling eggs having a front wallwith an upper end and a lower end, wherein the front wall has apredetermined height. The clamshell holder also has a rear wall with anupper end and a lower end, wherein the rear wall has a predeterminedheight. An egg receiving space is formed between the front wall and therear wall, and either one of the front wall or rear wall is pivotalabout a pivot point that is located below a centerline of the eggreceiving space to increase the egg receiving space when catching theegg and decreasing the egg receiving space when holding the egg.

The present disclosure further relates to a method of releasing an eggfrom an egg carrying mechanism in a machine for handling eggs, themethod includes the steps of holding an egg using an egg holder, whereinthe egg has a first predetermined orientation of 90 degrees with respectto a frame supporting the egg carrier mechanism. The method furtherincludes the step of rotating the egg carrying mechanism so that the egghas a second predetermined orientation with respect to the frame, andreleasing the egg at an angle that is either greater than 90 degrees orless than 90 degrees with respect to the frame.

Advantageously, an apparatus and method of egg handling is disclosed fortransporting eggs within a high-speed machine. An advantage of thepresent disclosure is that the eggs are oriented quickly by takingadvantage of the natural characteristics of the eggs without requiringadditional inspection for proper orientation. Another advantage is thatall the eggs are rotated so that the narrower or tip end is up and thelarger, more rounded end downward in a rapid paced mechanical process,thus assuring proper orientation. Still another advantage of the presentdisclosure is that by orienting the eggs so that the larger end impactsthe conveying mechanism first, the egg will not skid or rotate uponlanding. A further advantage of the present disclosure is that aclamshell egg holder is provided having a pivot point that is below thecenterline of the egg receiving portion of the egg holder to facilitatehigher speed transfers to occur more safely to the egg carrier. Still afurther advantage of the present disclosure is that a directcarrier-to-carrier transfer may be made, thus eliminating anintermediate transfer mechanism, such as a cup to brush transfer. Yet afurther advantage of the present disclosure is that the eggs may bereleased from an overhead conveying mechanism into a flatbed conveyingmechanism or receiver at a predetermined angle other than 90 degrees tooptimize trajectory of egg. Yet still a further advantage of the presentdisclosure is in the ability to maximize line speeds of the egg handlingmachine.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomereadily appreciated based upon the following description when consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an egg handling machine according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an egg orientation mechanism for usewith the egg handling machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is another perspective view of the egg orientation mechanismfor use with the egg handling machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 b is a detailed view of the egg orientation mechanism of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an egg carrier for use in the egghandling machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear view of the egg carrier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the egg carrier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clam-shell egg holder for use with theegg handling machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating motion of the egg into theclam-shell carrier.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of releasing eggs into an egg holderfor use with the egg handling machine of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an egg handling machine 10 used to handle eggs. Theegg handling machine 10 may include various stations 11, and within eachstation 11 one or more actions may be performed. Examples of stations 11may include an input or loading station, an accumulator, a washingstation, a leak detection station, a dirt detection station, a gradingstation, a crack detection station, a blood detection station, or anoutput packaging station, to be described. Other examples relating toprocessing stations include a breaking and separation station,pasteurization station, drying station, deshelling station, or the like.Further types of stations 11 are contemplated depending on theparticular need for the eggs 28. Advantageously, the individual stationsare modular, and the use of a station or order of the stations 11 can bevaried depending on the particular need. The egg handling machine 10depicted in FIG. 1 is by way of example and not of limitation, and couldutilize more, less or different stations.

In the illustrated example of an egg handling machine, the eggs 28 maybe initially placed into the egg handling machine 10 at a loadingstation 20 with a random orientation of the egg, i.e. orientation ofmajor axis 42 of egg (to be described). The loading station 20 mayinclude an accumulator 22 to orient the eggs 28 into a predeterminednumber of rows, such as 18. Various types of accumulators 22 may beutilized, such as dividers or walls, or rollers, or brushes or the like.Eggs 28 travel via a conveying mechanism 18 (to be described) to thenext processing station, which in this example is a washing station 19,and the eggs are washed. The eggs may then be transported to the nextstation, which in this example is a detection station 21, such as a leakor crack detection station. For example, in a leak detection station theeggs are examined for the presence of a leak using a leak detectionmechanism as is understood in the art. If a leak in the egg is detected,it may be discarded. The eggs 28 may be then moved through a dryingstation 23, and dried. The eggs 28 may then be moved to anotherdetection station, such as a dirt detection station 25, and a presenceof dirt on the egg is detected using a dirt detection mechanism as isunderstood in the art. The eggs 28 may also be moved through a gradingstation 27, in which each egg may be examined (such as by weighing orthe like) and assigned a particular grade. Finally, the eggs may bemoved through an output station 29 and prepared for removal from themachine 10. An example of an output station 29 is a packaging station,which may facilitate the final packing of the egg into cartons. Itshould be appreciated that several operations may be combined to occurwithin one station.

While each station 11 performs different functions, each station 11 hassimilar features. That is, each station 11 of the egg handling machine10 of this example generally includes a frame 12. Depending on the typeof station and function occurring within, the frame 12 may generallyplanar table top 14 and supports or legs 16 that support the table top14, although other frame configurations are contemplated. A conveyingmechanism generally shown at 18 is supported by the frame 12, and movesthe eggs through and between the previously described stations 11.Various types of conveying mechanisms 18 are contemplated, such as anendless conveyor or feeder assembly having associated egg carriermechanisms 34 i.e. brushes, rotatable rollers, grippers, carriers or thelike for moving or holding the eggs. The type of conveying mechanism 18is non-limiting and may be selectively determined according to the taskoccurring at a particular station. In an example as shown in FIGS. 2 and3, a first conveying mechanism 18 a includes rollers 26, each rollerextends parallel to and spaced apart from another roller. Rotation ofthe rollers 26 is via respective pinions which mesh with racks locatedalongside rollers. Racks and pinions may serve to automatically rotatethe rollers 26 as the eggs 28 move along an endless path, such as by achain and drive element. A second conveying mechanism 18 b receives theeggs from the first conveying mechanism in a manner to be described. Theconveying mechanism 18 includes other features that are not shown butunderstood, such as motors, servos, belts, or the like to facilitate theoperation of the conveying mechanism 18.

Referring back to FIGS. 2-3 b, an egg orientation mechanism 24 used toorient all of the eggs 28 in a predetermined manner is illustrated. Inthis example, the egg orientation mechanism 24 is positioned at the endof the loading station 19, although it can be positioned within anystation whereby a predetermined orientation of the egg is desirable,i.e. grading or output or the like. By way of reference, the egg 28 hasa major axis 42 extending longitudinally through the egg from a tip ornarrower end of the egg as shown at 28 a to a larger, more rounded endof the egg as shown at 28 b.

The egg orientation mechanism 24 may include a rotatable sprocket wheel30 that is secured to the final set of rollers 26 a of the firstconveying mechanism 18 a of this example to facilitate rotation of theconveying mechanism. The egg orientation mechanism 24 may also include alifter mechanism 36 that raises the egg. For example, the liftermechanism 36 may be a pivotal member positioned on the rollers 26 sothat it is located beneath the egg 28. In this example, the liftermechanism 36 is located on the final set of rollers 26 a before the eggfalls off. The lifter mechanism 36 of this example includes a bodyportion 36 a and a plurality of fingers 36 b projecting from the bodyportion 36 a. The body portion 36 a is generally circular, and includesa central aperture for mounting the lifter mechanism 36 to the roller,and the finger 36 b is rectangular. Other configurations arecontemplated. As the egg 28 moves along the rollers 26, the liftermechanism 36 is rotating about the roller 26, such that the finger 36 acontacts the egg 28 and lifts the end of the egg 28 off the roller 26 asthe traveling egg crosses the lifter mechanism. Since the tip 28 a ofthe egg is by nature driven sideways or outwardly as the egg 28 travelsalong the rollers 26, the lifting motion of the egg 28 initially throwsthe egg 28 off balance.

The egg orientation mechanism 24 also includes a sidewall 32 positionedadjacent the rollers 26. In this example the sidewall 32 is a rigidmaterial that is fixedly attached and adjacent to the last roller 26 a,although other configurations are contemplated. The sidewall 18 islocated so that the egg can contact the sidewall 18 either as it islifted up or when falling off the last roller 26 a to create a “drag”effect. Further, the last roller 26 a may be rotated in a direction thatis opposite of the earlier rollers 26 to further induce the rotation ofthe egg. Thus, the egg tip 28 a will make contact with the stationarysidewall 32 before falling off the rollers 26. The contact between theegg tip 28 a and sidewall 32 induces a natural rotation of the egg, i.e.backspin, about its natural axis of about 90 degrees. Since the egg isnaturally eccentric, the backspin turns the egg 28 so that the larger,more rounded or bottom end 28 b of the egg leads as the egg falls offthe rollers 26 onto an egg carrier mechanism 34 associated with thesecond conveying mechanism 18 b. The contact with the wall acceleratesthe motion of the egg 28. For example, the bottom end 28 b falls firstvertically off the rollers, as shown at 48. The major axis 42 of the egg28 is perpendicular to the forward motion of the first conveyingmechanism 18 a as the egg leaves the first conveying mechanism 18 a, andthe egg 28 now has a predetermined orientation as it falls into the eggcarrier mechanism 34 associated with the second conveying mechanism 18 bso that the bottom of the egg initially contacts the second conveyingmechanism 18 b. In this example, the egg carrier mechanism is a gripper35 having fingers. All eggs 28 will be mechanically turned to have thesame orientation, such as 90 degrees with the tip end up. Since the eggorientation is now known, the egg carrier mechanism 34 or gripper 35 ofthis example can be manipulated as necessary, i.e. as shown at 50.Advantageously, the eggs are all oriented without the need for any typeof sensing mechanism. As a result, the eggs can move at a high rate ofspeed, such as 6 eggs per second.

It is contemplated that the egg orientation mechanism 24 may includeeither or both of the lifter mechanism 26 and the sidewall 32, dependingon the needs of the egg handling machine 10.

Thus, in operation of the egg orientation mechanism 24 of this example,the eggs 28 have been initially accumulated, such as at an eggaccumulation station 11. The eggs 28 may be funneled into defined rows,and move in a forwardly direction using the first conveying mechanism 18a, such as via rollers 26. At this point, the eggs 28 do not have apredetermined orientation with respect to each other. However, if theeggs are moving along rollers 26, the tip end 28 a of the egg 28 tendsto migrate outwardly, i.e. towards the frame 12. As the egg 28 movesalong the rollers 26, eggs 28 move across the lifter mechanism 36, andthe egg 28 is lifted slightly by actuation of the lifter mechanism 36.The elevation of the egg causes the egg 28 to contact the sidewall 32,which creates a drag on the egg resulting in the egg 28 becomingunbalanced and rotating about it's major axis up to 90 degrees. Themajor axis of the egg is now perpendicular to the earlier, forwardmotion of the egg, and each egg 28 has the same orientation. In thisexample, the larger, rounded egg end 28 b is now leading. The egg isreleased into a egg carrier mechanism 34 associated with the secondconveying mechanism 18 b, which may be positioned to catch the egg 28below the first conveying mechanism 18 a. For example, the egg may bereleased onto a second egg carrier mechanism 34, such as grippers,brushes, rollers, a carrier, receiver or the like associated with thesecond egg conveying mechanism 18 b. The egg 28 may now be carried tothe next station using the second conveying mechanism 18 b.Advantageously, the eggs 28 now have a predetermined orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, an egg carrier mechanism 34 which is a gripperegg carrier mechanism 35 is illustrated. The gripper egg carriermechanism 35 may be used to catch the egg 28 after the egg has beenoriented using the egg orientation mechanism 24. Further, the gripperegg carrier mechanism 35 may be used with the improved method ofreleasing an egg, to be described. The gripper egg carrier mechanism 35may be utilized within any of the stations 11. By way of example, thegripper egg carrier 35 is shown after the eggs have been oriented usingthe egg orientation mechanism 24. In an example, the gripper egg carriermechanism 35 includes a plurality of individual egg holders 38 thatcatch the egg and impedes further momentum of the egg. A plurality ofegg holders 38 are in spaced relation to each other. The number of eggholders 38 corresponds to the number of rows of eggs. For example, thegripper egg carrier mechanism 35 includes a cross member 44 and a pairof egg grippers 40 are mounted to the cross member corresponding to thenumber of rows of eggs. Each egg gripper 40 include a pair of opposedgripper fingers 46 that are pivotally secured to the cross member 44 atan upper end of the gripper finger 46. The gripper fingers 46 can engagean egg in various orientations, such as horizontal or vertical. In thisexample, the egg tip 28 a is pointed downwardly so that the rounded eggend 28 b is held in a more positive manner, although other positions arecontemplated.

The cross member 44 may be pivotally attached to a drive member 52 suchas a chain drive 52 via a connecting member or cam 54. The pivotalattachment of the cross member 44 may provide for the pivotal movementof the egg holder 38 in a manner to be described to vary the releaseangle of the egg. By way of example, coupled at the end of each cammember is an extension bar which is spaced from the end cam member by anintegral spacer. A bar may be provided with an upper T-shaped portionwhich is engageable with the latch pins of a comb assembly and solenoidactuated plunger to cause rotational movement of the cross member 44 ina manner to be described.

The egg may be carried through each of the various stations using theegg holder 38 or grippers 40 of this example. Advantageously, the eggs28 have a predetermined orientation, which in this example is with theegg tip 28 a pointed downwardly so that the rounded egg end 28 b is heldby the gripper fingers 46 in a more positive manner. Other orientationsare contemplated, and the gripper egg carrier mechanism 35 may bemanipulated accordingly.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, another example of an egg carrier mechanism 34which has an improved clam-shell type egg holder is illustrated. Theclamshell receiver 60 receives and supports the egg 28 whiletransporting the egg through the predetermined station and may beutilized within any of the stations 11. By way of example, the clamshellreceiver 60 is shown carrying the eggs into the packaging station. Theclamshell receiver 60 is secured to a cross-member 44, and suchattachment may be stationary or pivotal in a manner to be described. Theclamshell receiver 60 includes a front wall 56 and a rear wall 58. Thefront wall 56 may be shorter than the rear wall 58 by a predeterminedamount so as to receive the egg 28. An egg-receiving portion 62 isformed in the space between the front wall 56 and rear wall 58. Each ofthe front wall 56 and rear wall 58 have a predetermined shape, to betteraccommodate the egg 28. In this example, the front wall 56 and rear wall58 each have a “V” shape, although other linear, curved or curvilinearshapes are contemplated to create a “soft” target for the egg todistribute impact forces of the egg contacting the rear wall 58. Thewalls 56, 58 may be formed of one member, or multiple members. It iscontemplated that each of the front wall and rear wall may be flexiblestrips. Further the walls 56, 58 may be formed from a suitable materialhaving some elasticity, i.e. a plastic, such as Delran, or polyurethaneor the like. The material is selectively determined to preclude fractureof the egg. The clamshell receiver 60 can receive the egg 28 in anyorientation. In an example, the egg 28 is received in a verticalorientation with the tip 28 a facing downwardly in a manner to bedescribed, i.e. the major axis of the egg is perpendicular to thedirection of travel of the conveying mechanism.

In the example of a clam-shell egg carrier, a lower edge of each of thefront wall 56 and the rear wall 58 are pivotally connected to the crossmember 44 at a first pivot point 64 that is located below a center lineof the egg receiving portion 62. In a further example, the first pivotpoint 64 is located at the lowermost edge of the front wall 56 and rearwall 58. Pivotal movement of each of the front wall 56 and rear wall 58is controlled by the respective pivot mechanism (not shown) associatedwith either the front wall 56 or rear wall 58. It is contemplated thateither the front wall 56 or rear wall 58 may pivot independently or bothwalls may pivot concurrently about the first pivot point. For example,the front wall 56 may pivot outwardly or away from the rear wall toreceive the egg. In another example, each of the front wall 56 and rearwall 58 may pivot outwardly or away from each other. The walls movetogether to grip, cradle or otherwise hold the egg 28. Similarly, one orboth of the walls 56, 58 may pivot outwardly to release the egg 28, suchas into another egg carrier 34 associated with a conveying mechanism 18in another station. For example, the egg may be released into anotherclamshell receiver 60.

In another example, either one or both of the front wall 56 and rearwall 58 may have a second pivot point as shown at 66 that is locatedabove the centerline of the egg receiving portion 62. The second pivotpoint 66 would facilitate release of the egg by pivotal movement of theupper portion of the front wall 56 or rear wall 58 in an outwardlydirection.

In operation, the front and/or rear wall pivot about a first pivot point64 located below a centerline of the egg receiving portion 62 of theclamshell receiver. As the egg 28 is released into the clamshellreceiver 60, the egg first hits the rear wall 58, and then slidesdownwardly along the rear wall 58 into the egg-receiving portion 62 ofthe clamshell receiver. Advantageously, the line speed of the conveyingmechanism 18 may be increased since the eggs are caught in a morepositive manner.

Referring to FIG. 9, a method of releasing an egg into the egg carriermechanism 34 is illustrated. The methodology begins at 100 with the stepof providing an egg 28 having a predetermined orientation in an eggcarrier mechanism 34. In this example, the egg carrier mechanism 34 is agripper egg carrier mechanism 35. The egg is held by the gripper fingers46 with a horizontal orientation in this example, although otherorientations are contemplated. The methodology advances to block 102 andincludes the step of pivoting the egg carrier mechanism 35 or egg holder38, i.e. grippers 40 of this example, a predetermined amount. As shownin FIGS. 4-6, the egg holder cross member 44 is pivoted forwardly orrearwardly to a predetermined angle, such as 45 degrees, so that theangle of the major axis 42 of the egg with respect to the direction ofmotion changes. As a result of pivoting the egg carrier mechanism 34,the egg 28 is released at a predetermined release angle with respect tothe table top 14 that is less than or greater than 90 degrees, but not90 degrees. The method advances to block 104 and includes the step ofreleasing the egg. The trajectory of the egg is skewed due to theangular release of the egg 28 as shown in FIG. 8 at 68. The egg 28 maybe released into another egg carrier mechanism 34 and associated eggholder 38 in a controlled manner, such as into a clam shell receiver,cup or brush or the like. Advantageously, the skewed release trajectoryallows for more efficient transfer of the egg between different eggholders. In this example the egg is released with the egg tip pointeddownwardly, although other orientations are contemplated.

In an example, the egg holders 38 or grippers 40 of this example, arearranged to have a 4-inch spacing between gripper fingers 46, so as torelease eggs at a high rate of speed into another egg holder 38 i.e.clamshell receivers 60, having a 3-inch spacing. Multiple rows of theclamshell receivers 60 may be positioned in multiple configurations soas to sequentially catch the eggs. If the eggs are released into aclamshell receiver 60, the egg first hits the rear wall, and then slidesdownwardly into the egg-receiving portion 62 of the clamshell receiver.Advantageously, the line speed of the conveying mechanism may beincreased since the eggs are caught in a more positive manner.

The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Many modifications and variations of the present example are possible inlight of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present disclosure may be practices other than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An egg orientation mechanism for orienting eggswithin a machine for handling eggs, the egg orientation mechanismcomprising: a plurality of eggs randomly arranged on a first eggconveying mechanism; a lifter mechanism located at an end of the firstegg conveying mechanism, wherein the lifter mechanism raises a portionof each egg away from the egg conveying mechanism to off balance androtate the egg about an axis of the egg so that the egg is oriented tohave a larger end of the egg leading as the egg is released into asecond egg conveying mechanism; wherein the second egg conveyingmechanism includes a clamshell receiver having: a front wall with anupper end and a lower end, and the front wall has a predeterminedheight; and a rear wall having an upper end and a lower end, wherein therear wall has a predetermined height and an egg receiving space isformed between the front wall and the rear wall and either one of thefront wall or rear wall is pivotal about a pivot point that is locatedbelow a centerline of the egg receiving space to increase the eggreceiving space when catching the egg and decreasing the egg receivingspace when holding the egg.
 2. The egg orientation mechanism of claim 1further comprising: a sidewall adjacent the lifter mechanism, wherein anend of the off balance egg contacts the sidewall to off balance androtate the major axis of the egg so that the egg is oriented to have arounder end of the egg leading as the egg is released into an eggcarrier mechanism associated with the second egg conveying mechanism. 3.The egg orientation mechanism of claim 2 wherein a tip end of the offbalance egg contacts the sidewall, and the contact with the sidewallrotates the egg.
 4. The egg orientation mechanism of claim 2 wherein thesecond egg conveying mechanism includes a gripper egg carryingmechanism.
 5. The egg orientation mechanism of claim 1 including: aplurality of eggs randomly arranged on a first egg conveying mechanism;a sidewall adjacent first conveying mechanism, wherein an end of the eggcontacts the sidewall as the egg falls off the first conveying mechanismto off balance and rotate the egg about an axis of the egg so that theegg is oriented to have a larger end of the egg leading as the egg isreleased into an egg holder associated with the second egg conveyingmechanism, which is positioned below the first conveying mechanism. 6.The egg orientation mechanism of claim 5 further comprising: a liftermechanism located at an end of the first egg conveying mechanism,wherein the lifter mechanism raises a portion of each egg away from thefirst egg conveying mechanism to initially off balance the egg.
 7. Theegg orientation mechanism of claim 5 wherein a tip end of the offbalance egg contacts the sidewall, and the contact with the sidewallrotates the egg.
 8. The egg orientation mechanism of claim 5 wherein thesecond egg conveying mechanism includes a gripper egg carrier mechanism.9. An egg orientation mechanism for orienting eggs within a machine forhandling eggs, the egg orientation mechanism comprising: a plurality ofeggs randomly arranged on a first egg conveying mechanism; a liftermechanism located at an end of the first egg conveying mechanism,wherein the lifter mechanism raises a portion of each egg away from theegg conveying mechanism to off balance and rotate the egg about an axisof the egg so that the egg is oriented to have a larger end of the eggleading as the egg is released into a second egg conveying mechanism; asidewall adjacent the lifter mechanism, wherein an end of the offbalance egg contacts the sidewall to off balance and rotate the majoraxis of the egg so into an egg carrier mechanism associated with thesecond egg conveying mechanism; a front wall with an upper end and alower end, and the front wall has a predetermined height; and a rearwall having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the rear wall has apredetermined height and an egg receiving space is formed between thefront wall and the rear wall and either one of the front wall or rearwall is pivotal about a pivot point that is located below a centerlineof the egg receiving space to increase the egg receiving space whencatching the egg and decreasing the egg receiving space when holding theegg.
 10. An egg orientation mechanism for orienting eggs within amachine for handling eggs, the egg orientation mechanism comprising: aplurality of eggs randomly arranged on a first egg conveying mechanism;a sidewall adjacent first conveying mechanism, wherein an end of the eggcontacts the sidewall as the egg falls off the first conveying mechanismto off balance and rotate the egg about an axis of the egg so that theegg is oriented to have a larger end of the egg leading as the egg isreleased into an egg holder associated with the second egg conveyingmechanism, which is positioned below the first conveying mechanism; afront wall with an upper end and a lower end, and the front wall has apredetermined height; and a rear wall having an upper end and a lowerend, wherein the rear wall has a predetermined height and an eggreceiving space is formed between the front wall and the rear wall andeither one of the front wall or rear wall is pivotal about a pivot pointthat is located below a centerline of the egg receiving space toincrease the egg receiving space when catching the egg and decreasingthe egg receiving space when holding the egg.
 11. A clamshell eggreceiver for transporting eggs in a machine for handling eggs, theclamshell receiver comprising: a front wall having an upper end and alower end, wherein the front wall has a predetermined height; a rearwall having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the rear wall has apredetermined height and an egg receiving space formed between the frontwall and the rear wall and extending from the lower end of the frontwall to at least the upper end of the front wall and either one of thefront wall or rear wall is pivotal about a pivot point that is locatedbelow a centerline of the egg receiving space to increase the eggreceiving space when catching the egg and decreasing the egg receivingspace when holding the egg.
 12. The clamshell receiver of claim 11wherein the front wall height is less than the rear wall height.
 13. Theclamshell receiver of claim 11 wherein the front wall and rear wall eachform a “V” shape.
 14. The clamshell receiver of claim 11 wherein thefront wall pivot point is located at a lowermost edge of the front wall.15. The clamshell receiver of claim 11 wherein the rear wall pivot pointis located at a lowermost edge of the rear wall.
 16. The clamshellreceiver of claim 11 wherein both the front wall and rear wall pivotaway from each other to catch the egg.
 17. The clamshell receiver ofclaim 11 wherein either one of the front wall and rear wall includes asecond pivot point located above a centerline of the egg receiving spaceto increase the egg receiving space when releasing the egg.
 18. A methodof releasing an egg from an egg carrier in a machine for handling eggs,said method comprising the steps of: holding an egg using a first eggholder associated with a first egg conveying mechanism, wherein the egghas a first predetermined orientation of 90 degrees with respect to aframe supporting the egg first conveying mechanism; rotating the firstegg holder so that the egg has a second predetermined orientation withrespect to the frame; and releasing the egg at an angle that is greaterthan 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees with respect to the frame into asecond egg holder associated with a second egg conveying mechanism. 19.The method of claim 18 wherein the released egg has a skewed trajectoryas received by the second egg holder to increase line speed of the firstand second conveying mechanism.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein thefirst egg holder is a gripper mounted to a cross member, and the crossmember rotates to vary the orientation of the egg.
 21. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the second egg holder is a clamshell receiver having: afront wall with an upper end and a lower end, and the front wall has apredetermined height; and a rear wall having an upper end and a lowerend, wherein the rear wall has a predetermined height and an eggreceiving space is formed between the front wall and the rear wall andeither one of the front wall or rear wall is pivotal about a pivot pointthat is located below a centerline of the egg receiving space toincrease the egg receiving space when catching the egg and decreasingthe egg receiving space when holding the egg.